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Helton hits first spring home run in tie

Helton hits first spring home run in tie

Rockies at the plate: Todd Helton knocked his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot. Yorvit Torrealba added a two-run double while extending his hit streak to six spring games.

Rangers at the plate: Hank Blalock hit a three-run homer, Michael Young and Josh Hamilton each had three hits and David Murphy added a solo shot. Frank Catalanotto, however, left the game with back spasms.

Rockies on the mound: Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez was in good shape until the fifth, when he gave up four runs and had to leave with the score tied. Jimenez struck out six, but gave up eight hits -- five in the fifth. Left-hander Josh Newman fanned the only batter he faced. Brian Fuentes gave up a home run -- the first run against him this spring -- but no more runs in two innings. Manny Corpas pitched around a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning.

Rangers on the mound: Starter Luis Mendoza, in line for a rotation spot, was perfect through three innings but took a beating in the fourth, yielding five runs on five hits. Scott Shoemaker retired the two batters he faced. Kameron Loe had his second scoreless outing in five trips to the mound this spring, holding the Rockies to one hit in two innings.

Cactus League records: Rockies 7-7-1, Rangers 8-6-1

Rockies up next: Left-hander Franklin Morales, who has pitched well in his bid for a rotation spot (1-0, 2.00 ERA in three games), will start at Peoria Stadium against the Mariners at 2:05 p.m. MT. Regular shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and third baseman Garrett Atkins are in the lineup.

Rangers up next: Left-hander Kason Gabbard pitches for the Rangers at 3:05 p.m. CT on Friday against the Royals in Surprise. Gabbard came into camp as a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation but has already moved up to No. 4. Brett Tomko pitches for the Royals.